Federal Govt Unveils National Carrier, Nigeria Air

Olufemi Adeyemi

Outgoing Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has unveiled the much-talked-about Nigeria Air airline by taking delivery of a Boeing 737-800 ET-AL in its fleet.

The Federal Government on Friday unveiled the nation’s national carrier, Nigeria Air.

The Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika performed the ceremony which was held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

He said the aviation industry in Nigeria has made remarkable achievements despite the COVID-19 pandemic challenges.

“Nigeria Air Limited has come to stay and, is a Public Private Partnership between Nigeria and Ethiopian Airlines which we hope will restore the glory of the Aviation Industry to meet international standards.”

“Right now processes have commenced for the aircraft to start Operation domestically as time goes on, we are expecting thirty-five aircraft more in the next five years to operate all over the world as Nigeria Air Limited.“

Addressing the Journalists the Chief Commercial Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Mr Lemma Yadeche assured Nigerians that they are fully prepared for the commencement of Operation in the country.

“With this Partnership I believe we are going to achieve remarkable success in the areas of job creation, economic growth and diplomatic relationship by taking advantage of our population.“ Mr Yadeche added.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration gave adequate priority to the Aviation industry, also with the establishment of the African Aviation and Aerospace University.

The Airline is a Public Private Partnership Company that is expected to attract many investors into the sector and would promote the economic growth of Nigeria and Africa at large.

We are here. To Almighty God be all the glory. It has been a very long, tedious, daunting and difficult path. We thank everyone for the support. This, by the will of God, will be for us and generations to come. Ya Allah make it beneficial for our country and humanity 🇳🇬🤲🏽🤲🏽🤲🏽🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/an4LbgmSf5

— Hadi Abubakar Sirika (@hadisirika) May 26, 2023

Nigeria Air, the nation’s proposed national carrier, was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in England on 18 July 2018.

The project was suspended two months after being announced as critics raised concerns over its relevance and sustainability.

The proposed airline was expected to gulp $8.8 million in preliminary cost and $300 million as take-off cost.

The national carrier idea was raised many years after Nigeria’s defunct carrier, Nigeria Airways, collapsed due to corruption and poor management.

Last July, the Federal Executive Council approved the leasing of three aircraft to enable the airline to commence operations.

In September last year, Mr Sirika said at a press briefing in Abuja that Ethiopian Airlines emerged as a core investor in Nigeria Air with a 49 per cent shareholding. This led to the suit filed by local airline operators, who say they can manage Nigerian Air better than a foreign airline.

May 26, 2023